Congratulations to those elementary and junior high band students that participated in the solo contest in Grinnell on Feb. 11. HLV band students were involved in 24 solos and received 19 Division I (superior) awards and 5 Division II (excellent) awards. Melana Blomme also received the award for Best in Center meaning her solo was the best the judge heard all day. Congratulations musicians!

SOUTHEAST IOWA BAND MASTERS HONOR BAND

Melana Blomme performed in the Southeast Iowa Band Masters Honor Band on Saturday, January 21st in the new Voxman School of Music at the University of Iowa. Melana was chosen for this honor through an audition held on January 7th in Fairfield. The majority of students making it through the audition were from the large metropolitan schools in the Iowa City and Quad Cities areas. She was the only class A student involved in the honor band. The band performed under 2 directors Mr. David Newport, the retired director for Grinnell Community High School and Robert Sheldon, music educator and composer. The band under the direction of Mr. Sheldon performed Hawkeye Overture which was specially written for this band and it was the world premiere for this selection.Congratulations to Melana for this honor.